Molecular genetics of the transcription factor GLIS3 identifies its dual function in beta cells and neurons

The GLIS family zinc finger 3 isoform (GLIS3) is a risk gene for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease endophenotype. We identified GLIS3 binding sites in insulin secreting cells (INS1) (FDR q < 0.05; enrichment range 1.40–9.11 fold) sharing the motif wrGTTCCCArTAGs, which were enriched in genes involved in neuronal function and autophagy and in risk genes for metabolic and neuro-behavioural diseases. We confirmed experimentally Glis3-mediated regulation of the expression of genes involved in autophagy and neuron function in INS1 and neuronal PC12 cells. Naturally-occurring coding polymorphisms in Glis3 in the Goto-Kakizaki rat model of type 2 diabetes were associated with increased insulin production in vitro and in vivo, suggestive alteration of autophagy in PC12 and INS1 and abnormal neurogenesis in hippocampus neurons. Our results support biological pleiotropy of GLIS3 in pathologies affecting β-cells and neurons and underline the existence of trans?nosology pathways in diabetes and its co-morbidities.     

RAPID SCREENING FOR SALMONELLA IN FISHMEAL BY ENRICHMENT-IMMUNOASSAY

We previously described an enrichment-immunoassay utilizing a T6 monoclonal antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Here we evaluated it for the rapid screening for Salmonella in fishmeal obtained from the national Animal and Plant Quarantine service in the People's Republic of China. In this method, the number of Salmonella present is first expanded by appropriate enrichment cultures, and the pathogens are then directly detected by the T6 immunoassay. In a total of 94 enrichment cultures of fishmeal, we obtained an overall concordance of 98% between the results obtained in parallel by this method and by conventional test method. The positive prediction by this method was 92% and the negative prediction was 100%. The turn around time for the new test was 27 h which is a significant improvement from the turn around time exceeding 96 h required for the conventional test method. This test proved to be compatible with the routine work flow in the practical setting of a quarantine laboratory.     

The role of the CGRP-receptor component protein (RCP) in adrenomedullin receptor signal transduction.

G protein-coupled receptors are usually thought to act as monomer receptors that bind ligand and then interact with G proteins to initiate signal transduction. In this study we report an intracellular peripheral membrane protein named the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-receptor component protein (RCP) required for signal transduction at the G protein-coupled receptor for adrenomedullin. Cell lines were made that expressed an antisense construct of the RCP cDNA, and in these cells diminished RCP expression correlated with loss of adrenomedullin signal transduction. In contrast, loss of RCP did not diminish receptor density or affinity, therefore RCP does not appear to act as a chaperone protein. Instead, RCP represents a novel class of protein required to couple the adrenomedullin receptor to the cellular signal transduction pathway. A candidate adrenomedullin receptor named the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) has been described, which forms high affinity adrenomedullin receptors when co-expressed with the accessory protein receptor-activity modifying protein 2 (RAMP2). RCP co-immunoprecipitated with CRLR and RAMP2, indicating that a functional adrenomedullin receptor is composed of at least three proteins: the ligand binding protein (CRLR), an accessory protein (RAMP2), and a coupling protein for signal transduction (RCP).     

Pheromone-mediated communication disruption in Guatemalan potato moth, Tecia solanivora

Chemical analysis of pheromone gland extracts followed by behavioural studies in the wind tunnel and by field trapping tests show that the sex pheromone of the Guatemalan potato moth, Tecia (Scrobipalpopsis) solanivora Povolny (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a blend of (E)‐3‐dodecenyl acetate, (Z)‐3‐dodecenyl acetate, and dodecyl acetate. A 100 : 1 : 20 blend of these compounds, formulated at 1000 µg on rubber septa, captured more males than the main compound alone. This lure was species‐specific and did not capture the potato tubermoth, Phthorimaea operculella. A potato field was treated with a blend of these three compounds at a rate of 28 g ha^?1. Male T. solanivora attraction to synthetic pheromone traps was almost completely suppressed for 2 months, demonstrating the potential use of pheromones for control of this economically important insect pest of potato in Central and Southern America.     

Identification of potential recruitment bottlenecks in larval stages of the giant fan mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinna nobilis</Emphasis> using specific quantitative PCR

The largest semi-enclosed basin in the world, the Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by high biodiversity and heavy human pressure on the coastal system. The Strait of Sicily (SoS) represents the boundary between western and eastern Mediterranean sub-regions and is an important biodiversity hot spot. Given its ecotonal nature and it being a “crossroad” for the westward expansion of warm-temperate and tropical species from the Levantin basin, the SoS is likely to play a key role in future climate change related biodiversity changes within the Mediterranean. The complexity of the SoS ecosystem, characterized by wider shallow detritic and rocky banks on the continental shelf hosting large biodiverse communities, and peculiar circulation pattern, promotes species diversity and abundance. In addition, the deep-sea is characterized by the occurrence of extremely vulnerable habitats, such as deep-water communities of scleractinian corals, antipatharians, gorgonians, and red coral. We review the current knowledge on the main characteristics of the north sector of the SoS ecosystem. The SoS ecosystem is increasingly threatened by expanding anthropogenic pressures in the area and specific conservation measures should be implemented on a national and international level to protect the relevant and vulnerable habitats.     

Genetic structure and evidence of anthropogenic effects on wild populations of two Neotropical catfishes: baselines for conservation

Genetic diversity and structure of Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and P. reticulatum, large migratory South America catfishes, where overfishing and the construction of numerous dams in their feeding and reproducing areas are affecting their migratory processes negatively, were studied using microsatellites in samples from Paraguay (that comprises the Pantanal biome), and the upper and lower Paraná Basins. Genetic diversity was in accordance to that observed for other large migratory fishes, but the most geographically isolated populations of P. reticulatum and those P. corruscans subject to anthropogenic effects (stocking and dams) showed lower genetic diversity and evidences of bottlenecks compatible with low effective population size. Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum presented subtle genetic differentiation within the Paraguay area, especially between the edges of its distribution. Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, in this same area, presented a quite homogeneous but significant genetic break between the Paraguay and upper Paraná populations, apparently resulting from natural and historical isolation between the basins until recently. These data demonstrates that, although these Pseudoplatystoma spp. are abundant in the Pantanal area, anthropogenic events are leading to negative effects on their populations, particularly in the upper Paraná Basin. Genetic differentiation observed along each species distribution demands conservation actions to preserve each population's biodiversity. These results represent important genetic information using new microsatellite markers and the first genetic study of P. reticulatum covering this area of its native distribution. Data may also contribute to a better understanding of species migration patterns and to be used as a baseline for proper management.     

Morphological changes related to the climateric period of the adult Cuban women

The aim of the present study is to analyze the morphologic changes occurring along the period of a woman's life thatareknown as climacterium. Our sample consists of 648 women from different provinces of Cuba, but who lived in Havana for at least 15 years. Morphological variables such as height, weight, biliocristal and biachromial diameters and six subcutaneous fat skinfolds were measured. With regard to the menopausic condition, the sample was divided into three subpopulations: premenopausic, naturally menopausic and surgically menopausic (when the two ovaries had been removed). Age at menopause was calculated by both the “retrospective” (49.45±0.49) and “status quo” (48.83±0.02) methods. The results obtained point towards morphological differences between pre- and postmenopausic women. We observed greater accumulations of fatty tissue in the suprailiac regions of postmenopausal females. Lean body mass represents a bigger fraction of the total body weight in women who are still menstruating. In the case of surgically menopausic women, they are at a mid-distance between the premenopausic and naturally menopausic subpopulations. A discriminant analysis was carried out which confirmed the results previously observed. From this analysis it appeared the body mass index and the subcutaneous skinfolds are the variables that discriminante, that is, separate, the three subsamples.     

Mannose binding lectin plays a crucial role in innate immunity against yeast by enhanced complement activation and enhanced uptake of polymorphonuclear cells

Background  

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is an important host defence protein against opportunistic fungal pathogens. This carbohydrate-binding protein, an opsonin and lectin pathway activator, binds through multiple lectin domains to the repeating sugar arrays displayed on the surface of a wide range of clinically relevant microbial species. We investigated the contribution of MBL to antifungal innate immunity towards C. parapsilosis in vitro.